The world of professional freestyle snowboarding and skiing beckons with the promise of adrenaline-pumping and breathtaking tricks. Becoming a professional in these disciplines requires a deep love for the sport and dedication, skill development, and strategic career planning.

Build a Solid Foundation:

Before diving into the world of professional freestyle riding, ensure you have a strong foundation in snowboarding or skiing fundamentals. Master basic riding techniques, become comfortable with various terrains, and hone your skills on both groomed runs and challenging slopes.

Freestyle Mastery,

Freestyle riding demands a unique skill set. Dedicate time to mastering tricks, jumps, and manoeuvres. Progress from basic tricks to more advanced manoeuvres, focusing on spins, grabs, and strong landings.

Take part in Freestyle Clinics: Enroll in freestyle lessons or clinics to receive guidance from experienced coaches. These professionals can provide valuable insights and correct techniques and offer personalised feedback to accelerate your progress. Continuous learning is vital to reaching a professional level.

Break through your comfort zone!

Competing is a crucial step in the journey to becoming a pro. Please start by entering local competitions and gradually progressing to higher levels. Participating in events exposes you to the competitive atmosphere, helps you gauge your skills against others, and provides valuable experience under pressure.

While you’re at comps, you can also build connections within the community and become a part of it. It’s an epic opportunity to build friendships with fellow riders and connect with other industry professionals.

Networking is key!

Building connections within the freestyle snowboarding or skiing community is vital. Networking can lead to sponsorships, collaborations, and opportunities to showcase your skills to a broader audience. Document your progression, dreams, aspirations, and goals (especially how you’ll get there) in an “Athlete Deck”. Creating an individual portfolio is a great tool to increase your chances for sponsorship deals.

Make the portfolio visually appealing, add photos and links to your social media and videos, and regularly update your deck. It will help you gain recognition within the industry and is also a great way to keep your motivation high.

Securing sponsorships is a pivotal step toward a professional career; approach companies that align with your values and make sure to overdeliver, creating value for them, too. Demonstrate professionalism, passion, and a solid social media presence to enhance your sponsorship appeal.

Develop a Unique Style: Professional freestyle riders are known for their unique style and flair. Experiment with different tricks to develop your own signature style. Your individuality is what will set you apart in a field of talented riders.

Stay Physically Fit: Professional freestyle riding demands peak physical fitness. Incorporate strength training, agility exercises, and cardiovascular workouts into your training regimen. A fit and resilient body enhances your performance and reduces the risk of injuries.

Stay abreast of industry trends, new tricks, and evolving techniques by investing in continued education. Attend workshops, seminars, and training camps to refine your skills and stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of freestyle riding.

Becoming a professional freestyle snowboarder or skier is a challenging yet enriching journey. From building a solid foundation and mastering freestyle riding to networking, seeking sponsorship, and developing a unique style, the path to professionalism requires dedication, perseverance, and a genuine love for the sport. With the right combination of skill, style, and strategic career planning, you can carve your way into the elite ranks of professional freestyle snowboarding or skiing.

So, strap in, aim high, and let your passion propel you to new heights in the exhilarating world of freestyle riding.